One-piece bucket and attaching link



March 10, 1931. WARNER ONE-PIECE BUCKET AND ATTACHING LINK Filed Feb. 18, 1929 5 Warner:

Mania: J??? Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES. PATENT oFFIc I IRVING WARNER, 01? NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE, ASSIGNQR To AMERICAN MANGANESE sTEEL COMPANY, or CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, A co r'oEATIoN E MAINE ONE-PIECE BUCKET AND ATTACHING LINK Application filed February 18, 1929. Serial No. 340,960.

This invention relates to improvements in link bucket construction and generally to an improved means for attaching the links to the bucket. My improved link bucketmay be used for dredging or other purposes in which an endless chain is formed having a plurality of buckets secured thereto, the chain passing around sprocket wheels at upper and p lower ends whereby the bucket automatically fills with material in passing aroundthe lower end and dumps the material at the top.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide one piece buckets having links secured thereto in which the links are provided with integral attaching bases. I

It is further a purpose of my invention to so secure the link bases to the buckets that the whole assembly is substantially rigid and as strong as a one piece casting.

In particular it is an object of my invention to provide integral lugs on the ends of the bucket and to provide link bases which are held between the lugs and bolted to the bucket.

It is further an object of my invention to provide recesses between the link bases and the bucket wall thus allowing the bolts to be more tightly secured by slightly springing the bases and to form a secure connection by filling the recesses with Babbitt metal after the bolts have been drawn tight.

It is another object of my invention to allow clearance spaces between the integral lugs on the bucket and the link bases in which wedging strips may be placed which are subsequently welded both to the bucket and the link bases in order to form a rigid and tight Figure 4 is a detail view in section on line 4"4 of Figure 1.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in connection with an ordinary form of dredge or excavating bucket adapted to be connected in an endless chain. I show a bucket 1 formed from a single one steel. The bucket is designed with ends 2 and 3, a forwardlip 4 to which an additional separate digging lip maybe attached in the usual manner and a rearward side 5.

A pair of links, denoted generally as 6 and 7, are attached to either end 2 and 3 on the bucket. It will be apparent that it might be possibleto integrally cast the links with the bucket but in forming the bucket from manganese steel difficulties arise in the casting operation which render such a construction impracticable.

It is, therefore, the problem of this inven-. tion to provide a means by which the links may be secured to the bucket in such a manner that a connection having the greatest strength and rigidity maybe secured. In buckets of this type, which are subjected in use to heavy stresses and loads, the connection must be one which will not work loose. Further, the spaces between the links 6 and 7 must be substantially accurate in order that the sprocket wheels will correctly engage with the links. 'I therefore provide a link, which will be described in connection with link 6 only since the construction on the other side will be similar, in which there is; anoutside link plate 8 connected to an attaching base 9 by horizontal sprocket engaging mem .bers 10 and 11 thus leaving a'recess 12 for the receptionof a sprocket: tooth; The base 9 seats against the end 2 of the bucket along its outside edges only shown at 13 14, 15 and 16 in the-detail sectional views-Figures 3 and 4. These edges. 13,14, 15 and 16 must be ground smoothfor correct seating engage- 13, 14, 15 and 16 or-by insertingshims beiece casting usually. comprising manganese tween the bases and the bucket. A central rectangular opening 17 is provided in the base 9 extending parallel to the link 6. A recess 18 extendsfrom the seating edges 13, 14, 15 and 16 to the central opening 17. A plurality of bolt receiving openings 19 are provided extending through the base 9 and having recesses 20 in the outer side in which the nuts. 21 are received. As stated, the base 9 is secured directly against-the end 2 of the bucket which is provided with upper and lower parallel lugs 222-3 spaced apart a distance somewhat wider than the length or" the base 9 thus leaving spaces between the lugs 2223 at the ends of the base 9 for wedging" members 24 and 25. The innerends of the lugs 22-23 are braced bystrengthening webs 26 and 27 Bolt receiving openings 28 corresponding to the openings 19 are provided, in the'bucket wall 2. The bucket wall is further designed with an integral projecting lug 29 which is somewhat smaller than the central opening 17 formed in the base 9. The lug 29 is rectangular in shape and extends normal to the parallel lu-gs2223. The link is attached by placing the base 9 in position, inserting the wedges 2 125 in the spaces provided and inserting the bolts 30 from the inner'si'de of the bucket and connecting the nuts 21. The nuts 21 may be drawn tight and it is apparent that therecess 18 between the base 9 and the bucket wall 2 allows the bolts to draw the base 9 into. a tight engagement with the'bucket' by slightly springing the wall of the attaching base. After the bolts, and nuts have been secured the recess 18 beneath the base 9. and the recess 31 around the central lug 29' may be filled with Babbitt metal 32 in order-to securely anchor the parts. In addition, therecessed openings 20 surrounding the nuts. 21 may be filled with Babbitt metal in order to securely anchor the nuts in place. Finally, in order to securely hold the wedges 24'25 in place the parts' are welded. Thus. in Figure 3 welding metal 33 is: shown extending from lug 26 across wedge 24: and joining to'the end of the base 9; similarly, the lower wedge 25 is secured by the weld 34.

It willbe apparent that I have provided a very rigid construction which is. substantially as strong as that'which would be secured" by a one piece casting. The lugs and wedges prevent the application of shearing stresses on the bolts while the bolts and the anchoring Babbitt metal prevent any loosening of the parts. It is obvious that my invention does not depend upon the particular position in which the base 9 is secured and the bases could be as well attached to theback 5 of the bucket. y

Further, it is apparent that the arrang ment and design of the lugs and openings may be greatly modified without departing from the spirit of my invention as expressed in the appended claims and further it may not be necessary to use a full combination of the bolted, babbitted and welded construction. The construction has been described in connection with a bucket using an endless chain but a similar form of construction could be used with other forms of buckets.

I claim:

1. In a link bucketconstruction, a bucket, a pair oi links, attachment bases formed integral with said links, a pair of lugs integrally formed with said bucketspaced apart a distance greater than the length of said base and means for securing one of said bases to said bucket comprising wedges inserted between said lugs and said base and additional securing means comprising a weld joining said wedges to said lugs and said base.

In a link bucket constructioma bucket, a pair of links, attachment bases formed integral with said links, each of said bases having'a recess in its attaching side whereby said. base seats against said bucket along its outside edges and means filling said recess comprising Babbitt metal. 7

3. In a link bucket construction, a link adapted to be secured to said bucket, a lug integrally formed with said bucket projecting through an openingin said link, said opening being slightly larger than said lug, said link seating against said bucket along its outside edges'and having a recessed portion extending from the seating edges to the lug receiving opening, means filling said recess and the space between said lug and the sides of said opening adapted to secure said link to said bucket.

4. In a link bucket construction, a'link adapted to be secured to said bucket, a lug integrally formed with said bucket projecting through an opening in said link, said opening being slightly larger than said lug, said link seating against said bucket along its outside edges and having a recessed portion extending from the seating edges to the lug receiving opening, means filling said recess and the space betweensaid'lug and the sides of said opening adapted to secure said link to said bucket, and tasteningmeans' ex tending through said link and said bucket.

, 5.3In a link bucket construction, a link adapted to be secured to said bucket, a lug integrally for led with said bucket projecting through an opening in said link, said opening being slightly'larger than said lug, said link seating against said bucket along its outside edges and having a recessed portion extending from the seatingedges tothe lug receiving opening, means filling said recess and the space between said lug and the sides of said opening adapted to secure said link to said bucket, integral lugs on, said bucket adjacent the ends of said link and wedges fillingthe spaces between saidlugs and said link. I'

6. In a link bucket construction, a link adapted to be secured to said bucket, a lug integrally formed with said bucket projecting I through an opening in said link, said opening being slightly larger than said lug,said link seating against said bucket along its outside edges and having a recessed portion extending from the seating edges to the lug receiving opening, means filling said recess and the space between said lug and the sides of said openlng adapted to secure said link to said bucket, integral lugs on said bucket adjacent the ends of said link, wedges filling the spaces between said lugs and said link, and fastening means extending through said link and said bucket.

7. An attachment between a body and a plate comprising a lug integrally formed with said body projecting through an enlarged opening in said plate, said plate seatfrom its seating edges to the enlarged opening,

ing,

ing, means filling said recess and the space between said lug and said plate in order to form a tight connectiomand fastening means extending through said plate and said body. 9. An attachment between a body and a plate comprising a lug integrally formed with said body projecting through an enlarged opening in said plate, said plate seating against said body along its outside edges and having a recessed portion extending from its seating edges to the enlarged openmeans filling said recess and the space between said lug and said plate in order to form a tight connection, integral lugs formed with said body adjacent the ends of said plate and wedges filling the spaces between said lugs and said plate. 7 I

10. An attachment between a body and a plate comprising a lug integrally formed with said body projecting through an enlarged opening in said plate, said plate seat and having a recessed portion extending] from its seating edges to the enlarged openmeans filling said recess and the space between said lug and said plate in order to form a tight connection, integral lugs formed with said body adjacent the ends of said plate, wedges filling the spaces between said lugs and said plate, and fastening means extending throughsaid plate and said body.

11. In a link bucket construction, a bucket,

a link, an attaching base for securing said link to said bucket, said base being recessed I on its attaching side whereby it seats along its outer edges and securing means extending through the recessed portion of said base and said bucket for tightly clamping the base and link to the bucket. r

12. In a link bucket construction, a bucket, a pair of links adapted to be attached tosaid bucket, attachment bases formed integral with each link, each of said bases being recessed onits attaching side whereby it seats along substantially narrow edges and securing means extending through therecessed portion of said base and said bucket for tightly clamping the links to said bucket.

Signed at Newcastle, Delaware, this 25th day of January, 1929.

IRVING WARNER.

- ing against said bodyalong its outside edges 

